Entrepreneur Report Oct 15, 2015

Islands Fast Food – owned by Stan and Brian Sawyer – opened its doors, and Abaco’s only drive thru, in September 2015. Islands Fast Food is located in the former Kenny Long/Long’s Landing building on Bay Street in Marsh Harbour. The drive thru begins at the corner of the Insurance Management Building, and is clearly marked out with posts painted in bright orange, white and blue colours as well as arrows pointing in the direction of the business.

There is also a dining area and parking available for customers wanting to dine in.

Islands Fast Food serves up a mouthwatering menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items. In addition to its breakfast menu with the standard pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, tuna or grits fare, the menu has a cracked conch platter as well as beef, conch and mahi mahi and veggie burgers, salads and combination meals. Daily specials will soon be offered.

The aim of Islands Fast Food is to ensure that customers are served delicious, quality food on every visit, and served quickly with minimum waiting time.

Business hours are: Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to midnight. The business is closed on Sundays, but open on holidays.

The telephone contact is: 1(242)699-2158. Customers can also visit Islands Fast Food at their Web site –http://www.islandsfastfood.com – or on their Facebook page: Islands Fast Food.

Abaco Asian Market

Johnny Cash’s Abaco Asian Market located on Queen Elizabeth Drive has been in business since August 2015. It is best categorized as a variety store with an Asian theme.

In the display counter, there are soda tab purses, Asian tea kettle and tea cup sets, titanium and bamboo chopsticks, keychains on sale in addition to sceneries in a bottle and paintings by Johnny Cash.

During the month of July, Abaco was introduced to Wild Boar Souse House and Deli owned by Kevin and Leticia McIntosh. The business is located in the Van Stratton Insurance Building across from Corner Value.

The breakfast menu boasts of a “good old Bahamian breakfast” with stewed conch, stewed fish, wild boar souse or chicken souse served with Johnny cake as well as tuna and grits or sausage and grits, breakfast sandwiches and omelets.

Not to be outdone, the lunch menu serves up a tasty selection of paninis, gyros, burgers, sub-sandwiches, wraps, chicken, conch, pork chop and grouper finger snacks, and salads. Daily lunch and dinner specials are also available.

Business hours are: Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Telephone: 1(242) 367-2627.

Abaco Footwear Solutions

Owned by Ronrick Simms, Abaco Footwear Solutions opened on August 15. The store carries a great selection of Clarke’s, One Love and Coogi footwear along with other footwear brands in sizes 7 to 13. There are also assorted school shoes and accessories like boys’ undershirts, socks, briefs, boxers and hats for purchase.

While business has slowed down a bit, Simms said that he was glad to have caught the school rush during the summer. However, he explained that Abaco Footwear Solutions is actually set up as an online store as well, so customers can shop online at http://www.abaco-footwear-solutions.myshopify.com, and have their products delivered in-store, at their home or business and even to the island’s ferry dock location.

Abaco Footwear Solutions is located at the end of the B & V Plaza where the Island Bakery is located. Business hours are Mondayto Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The telephone number is 1 (242) 367-3943. Also visit the Abaco Footwear Solutions page on Facebook.

Island Pet Supply

Island Pet Supply opened for business on October 5. Owned by Elizabeth Collins, the business’ slogan is: “We Take Care of Your Pets.”

Island Pet Supply carries a great selection of pet products and supplies for cats, dogs, birds and fish and also offers kennel rentals. In the future, Island Pet Supply will offer grooming for pets and sell dog outfits.

It is a pet-friendly store, and all pets are welcome and are given a treat from the treat jar. Collins said the community response to the store’s opening has been excellent, and she’s received good suggestions about bringing in additional items.

She added that because Halloween (October 31) falls on a Saturday this year, children dressed in costumes as well as dogs and cats will receive treats from 9 a.m. until noon that day.

Business hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed for lunch from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. On Saturdays, the store is open from 9 a.m. to noon. Telephone contact: 367-6406 or 458-2945. E-mail: kldsawyer@yahoo.com.

Abaco Meat and Farmer’s Market

Co-owned by Lennie Etienne, and Deron and Larhue McPhee, Abaco Meat and Farmer’s Market opened in the M & R Building in July 2015. Opened daily, customers can choose from a number of family packs and meat specials.

The first in the line of meat packages is the Jes Nuff Pack # 1 that contains turkey drumsticks, wings, leg quarters and pork chops, while a bigger family package like that All in Da Family Pack #3 offers turkey wings, spare ribs, leg quarters, pork chops and whole wings. Other packages are called Soul Food Pack #2, One Man Party Pack #4 and Pot Luck Pack #5.

Then there’s the soup combinations: the Sweet Mouth Soup Combo #1 comes with oxtail, stewed beef, mutton, fresh pork and ham. Customers can also purchase additional meats in the Mama’s Pot #2 and All Da Meat Soup Combo #3. There are also assorted grocery items for purchase.

In the Famer’s Market, fertilizer seeds and local produce purchased from local farmers are available. The majority of the produce comes from Jerutha Farms and is complimented by purchases from abroad.

Business hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the Meat Market, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the Farmer’s Market. The store is opened on Sunday for your convenience from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Abaco Meat & Farmer’s Market’s telephone number is: 1 (242) 458-5525. E-mail: abacomeatnfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

A & E Variety Store

A & E Variety Store is located in the M & R Building between Abaco Meat and Farmer’s Market and Island Luck. The variety store opened for business in February, and is owned by Angela Partt.

A & E carries a vast selection of shoes and clothing for the entire family as well as beauty and hair supplies, perfume and cologne, household supplies, baby supplies and other accessories.

A & E Variety Store is opened from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and holidays. Telephone number is: 1 (242) 458-2980.

About Canishka Alexander

Canishka Alexander was born in New Providence, but spent most of her childhood years on Abaco. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Abilene Christian University.

Although she has accomplished many things in life, her greatest accomplishment is being a mother to her four children. She loves God, her country and people of all cultures.